BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
Abraham Lincoln was inducted in 1992 into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. A formidable wrestler as a young man, this ability earned him great respect on the rough frontiers of Illinois.
Lincoln is also the only president to hold a patent. He was awarded one in 1849 for his invention to help boats navigate through shallow water.
There was an attempt in 1876 to steal Lincoln’s body from his tomb. Thankfully, it was unsuccessful. We have the tools the would-be grave robbers used in our Library’s collection.
—Alan Lowe, Executive Director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield
Alan Lowe.
Alan Lowe recently shared little known Lincoln facts at a University Club luncheon benefitting the Illinois Executive Mansion Association and the Abraham Lincoln Library Foundation, one of several statewide events observing our state’s bicentennial.
First Lady Diana Rauner and Illinois Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
Illinois First Lady, Diane Rauner, chairs the non-profit Executive Mansion Association whose board members are influential Illinoisans from across the state. Built in 1855, it is one of the oldest governor’s mansions in the country and has recently been renovated using private funds. Opening to the public July 14, the mansion will reflect history, local artists, and hospitality.
North Elevation view.
East Garden Elevation.
First Floor, Lincoln Room.
Lowe paid tribute to the 28th Illinois Governor, Henry Horner, who was an avid collector of Lincoln artifacts and papers, which form the core of the Library’s collection.
Mike Strautmanis, VP of Civic Engagement, Obama Presidential Center and Museum, and Todd Shwebel, Illinois Bicentennial Commissioner.
Ray Drake, VP of State Government Affairs, UPS, and Kirk Dillard, Chairman of Regional Transportation Authority.
Phyllis Evans, Senior Director of Development at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, and Chaz Ebert.
Mary Jo Wenmouth, Bernadette LaRocco, Nancy Horvat, and Sharon Colianni.
Alan Lowe and Justin Blandford, Springfield Historic Sites Superintendent.
Alan adds:
“As an Illinoisan, Mr. Lincoln was able to carve out a delicate position on the slavery issue that resonated with voters across the North. By saving the Union, he saved free government. His home state was the first in the nation to ratify the 13th Amendment to the constitution that effectively ended the 250-year institution of slavery and paved the way for Americans to experience the ‘new birth of freedom’ Lincoln spoke about at Gettysburg.
“His story is transferable across cultures around the world. I’ve seen folks from all corners of the globe stand in amazement and sometimes shed tears in from the Gettysburg Address. Mr. Lincoln is the best ambassador America has.”
He told guests:
“We really need to pay attention to Lincoln as we celebrate our bicentennial. He is the most significant Illinoisan in our state’s history. We are ‘the land of Lincoln’ for a reason. Lincoln’s life and service present us with many lessons relevant to life and leadership in the 21st century. The ideas and ideals that drove him, and that he helped preserve, are still those that define America: liberty, equality, and representative government.”
We asked Alan what questions he is most frequently asked.
“Our museum does a fabulous job of talking about the most significant political issues Lincoln faced during his presidency. Visitors often ask us probing questions about the extent or legality of the Emancipation Proclamation or even the limits of civil liberties in wartime and Lincoln’s controversial decision to suspend the writ of habeas corpus.
“However, it was also important to us to build a museum that humanizes the most iconic figure in American history. We remind folks that Lincoln’s mother died when he was 9, and he grew up in a blended family. We get a lot of questions about his stepmother and relationship with his father. We also remind visitors that in addition to being a politician, he was a husband and a father. We get lots of inquiries about Mary and his boys, Robert, Eddy, Willie, and Tad.”
He adds:
“As an Illinoisan, Mr. Lincoln was able to carve out a delicate position on the slavery issue that resonated with voters across the North. By saving the Union, he saved free government. His home state was the first in the nation to ratify the 13th Amendment to the constitution that effectively ended the 250-year institution of slavery and paved the way for Americans to experience the ‘new birth of freedom’ Lincoln spoke about at Gettysburg.
“His story is transferable across cultures around the world. I’ve seen folks from all corners of the globe stand in amazement and sometimes shed tears in from the Gettysburg Address. Mr. Lincoln is the best ambassador America has.”
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To learn more about the Bicentennial, visit illinois200.com. To learn more about the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, visit illinois.gov/alplm.
